Dirigible extendible and retractable aircraft landing light



Nov. 4, 1958 w. G. GRIMES DIRIGIBLE EXTENDIBLE AND RETRACTABLE AIRCRAFTLANDING LIGHT s Sheets-Shee t 1 7 Original Filed Nov. 10, 1952 INVENIORWARREN CRIMES ATTORNEY-S Nov. 4, 1958 w. a. GRIMES DIRIGIBLE EXTENDIBLEAND RETRACTABLE AIRCRAFT LANDING LIGHT Original Filed Nov. 10. 1952" 6Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR WARREN 3. GRIMES .III III l. I I

ATTORNEYS Nov. 4, 1958 w, G, GRIMES 2,859,331

DIRIGIBLE EXTENDIBLE AND RETRACTABLE AIRCRAFT LANDINGL IGHT OriginalFiled Nov. 10. 1952 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR WARREN G. GRIMES BYW- IATTORNEYS Nov. 4, 1958 w. e. GRIMES DIRIGIBLE EXTENDIBLE AND RETRACTABLEAIRCRAFT LANDING LIGHT Original Filed Nov. 10. 1952 6 Sheets-Sheet 4INVENTOR WARREN G. GRIMES BYMWA; J W

ATTORNEY5 Nov. 4, 1958 w, G I 2,859,331

DIRIGIBLE EXTENDIBLE AND RETRACTABLE AIRCRAFT LANDING LIGHT OriginalFiled Nov. 10. 1952 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 1k j zNvEprr R WARREN G. GRIMESATTORNEYS W. G. GRIMES Nov. 4, 1958 DIRIGIBLE'EXTENDIBLE AND RETRACTABLEAIRCRAFT LANDING, LIGHT 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Original Filed Nov. 10. 1952INVENTOR \MARFEN G. CRIMES W A'r'roRNEw United States Patent OfficePatented Nov. 4, 1958 DIRIGIBLE EXTENDIBLE AND RETRACTABLE AIRCRAFTLANDING LIGHT Warren G. Grimes, Urbana, Ohio Continuation of applicationSerial No. 319,628, November 10, 1952. This application November 10,1955, Serial No. 546,232

9 Claims. (Cl. 2407.7)

This invention relates to a dirigible extendible and retractableaircraft landing light and has for an object to provide an improvedlanding light for use on aircraft, both of the conventional type and ofthe helicopter type, wherein the light when not in operation is normallylocated flush in the surface of the airplane wing or other aircraftpart. i

This case is a continuation of Grimes application, Serial No. 319,628,filed November 10, 1952, and now abandoned.

A further object of this invention is to provide a' dirigible extendibleand retractable landing light. which has two motions; one motion isabout a stationary horizontal axis perpendicular to the line of flightto extend .and retract the light and thus act as a regular retractablelanding light; and' the second motion is about a movable axis, initiallyhorizontal and parallel to the line of flight, permitting rotationeither to the right' or to the left. When the light is extended 90, themovable axis is vertical. 7

A further object of this invention is to provide an extendible andretractable landing light usable on all types of aircraft, includinghelicopters, but particularly useful on helicopters while the helicopteris hovering or moving slowly over a small area, so that the light maybe, extended and rotated in either direction to any desired degree,thus, permitting the entire area beneath the slowly moving or hoveringhelicopter to be thoroughly explored, and thus, provide the pilot withall needed information as to the terrain below him. With theconventional type of winged airplane, the pilot may extend and rotatethe light to any desired degree, thus, enabling him to light up the areabelow the'aircraft and to keep the light on a particular area below him,as for instance, the edge of the landing field as he comes in foralanding, even though his normal non-dirigible landing light may havepassed the particular spot which he wishes to investigate and observe,

Still a further object of this inventionis to provide an extendible andretractable dirigible landing light having adjustable means for limitingthe extension and retraction of the light to the desired pivots ofextension and of retraction to a flush position in the surface skin ofthe aircraft part, and also to permit the lamp to be rotated withoutlimit in either direction while it is in the at least partially extendedposition, and also to provide a means for limiting the rotation of thelamp in one direction, the right direction, for instance, when the lampis in the fully retracted position, so as to bring the lamp lens flushwith the skin or surface of the aircraft part, and simultaneously tooperate a pilot indicator means, advising the pilot that; the lamphasbeen fully retracted and has been rotated to the flush position,whereupon the pilot may operate an off switch to leave the lamp in suchflush retracted position until such future time as he operates the sameswitch to. the on position for powering the lamp and also the extending,retracting and rotating means.

I control means as installed in an aircraft.

2 V Still a further object'of this invention is to provide a dirigible,extendible and retractable landing light which may be made in severalsizes for use on both large and small aircraft, wherein in any size, allthe operating mechanism is mounted wholly within the aircraft part inwhich the lamp is to be flush, so that when the lamp is out ofoperation, it will not cause any impedance to the smooth flow of airover the skin of the aircraft part. Still a further object of thisinvention is to provide a dirigible, extendible and retractable aircraftlandingv light wherein the lamp support remains within the-aircraft partwhether the lamp is extended or retracted. and, wherein a lamp base isprovided likewise within the aircraft .part bu which the lamp support ispivoted, and wherein, for larger size aircrafts a larger, and hence,heavier lamp is provided, the lamp support may have a lamp gimbalextending therefrom, so that the lamp may be additionally supported atits lower end when extended, and the lamp base may be provided with anlextending lamp frame within which the gimbalwill'lie flush when inretracted flushjposition. a

Still a further object of this invention is to provide a dirigible,extendible and retractable landing light which may be mounted flushwithin'any aircraft part, such as the lower surface of a conventionaltype of aircraft wing, or of the fuselage thereof, as well as the loweror other surface of the fuselage or cabin of a helicopter.

With the foregoing and other objects in View, this invention comprisesthe combination, construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter setforth, claimed and disclosed in the accompanying drawings, wherein: Y I

Figure 1 is a top plan view of the retractable dirigible' landing lightof this invention looking atthe top thereof from the inside of theairplane part in flush position;

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of Figure l; :j

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 butwith the lamp in advanced androtated position; i

Figure 4 is an end elevational view showing the light in flush positionin full lines; i

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional .view

taken along the line 55 of Figure 1; I

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5 but with the lamp in extendedposition; Figure 7 is a vertical fragmentaryisectional view taken alongthe line 7-7 of Figure 5, showing the lamp .ro-g tating gear mechanism;1* Figure 8 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken along theline'88 of Figures 5 and 9; Figure 9 is an enlarged fragmentarysectional view taken along the line 99 ofFigure 1, showing theelectrical control mechanism in elevation, and Figure 1'0 is anelectrical wiring diagram showing the There is shown at 10the dirigible,extendible and retractable landing light of this invention mounted flushin the skin or surface 11 of the aircraft part 12. The. aircraft part 12may be the wing of a conventional air plane or the bottom of the cabinof the helicopter-or of the fuselage of a conventional airplane.Supported wholly within the aircraft part12 is a lamp base having itslower surface flush with the skin or outer surface of the lower surface11 of the aircraft part 12.

. As shown, a lamp frame 15 extends integrally from the size aircraft.

lamp base 14 and is secured to the skin 11 of the aircraft part 12 aboutan opening with respect to which the lamp 16 may be extended andretracted, so that when Hinged to the lamp base 14 on the pivot pin 17is the 3 lamp support 18 through which is journalled a hollow Supportingshaft 20 on which the lamp 16 is supported and controllably rotated.

Integrally extending from the lamp support 18 is a gir'ribal ring 21,'aridaxially aligned with the hollow shaft 20 is a stub shaft 22 havingits end secured by a nut 23 and journalled in the gimbal ringparticularly useful in large sizeiheavy weightlamp outfits. However,this supporting. stub shaft and gimbal ring could be omitted in smallsize light'weightlamp outfits for use on small aircraft just as the lampframe may be omitted.

. Integrallyiextending from the lamp base 14 into the aircraft parti12is aihousing 24 within which is located the extend limit switch 25, theretract limit switch 26, the lamp relay 27, andthe adjustable limitswitch control means, such as: the retract switch operating cam 28, andthe extend limit switch operating cam 30. Both switch earns 28 and SOareadjusta'bIy secured by means of Tsecuring screws 31'to a plate 32fixedly secured on a shaft 33, which shaft 33 is journalled thorug'h arear wall 34.of:housing .24and has fixed thereon the gear sector35:whose;operation is controlled by a pinion gear 36 forming one end ofa train of reduction gears, a 'piniongear 37 forming theother end ofthis train of reduction gears and meshed with agear 38 fixed on theshaft 40 of a reversible, electric motor 41, which is supported onfawing wall 42 integrally extending from thehousing .24 and. substantiallyin. the plane of the housing wall-.34.

-...-This motor 41 is preferably of the type shown in applicants'tp'rior:.patent, No. 2,340,052 and is a reversible type of electricmotor with a built in brake which stops the :operation of :the motor andholds it in stop position wheneverith'e power is off, and-releases thebrake so that the motor may operatewhenever power is on ineitherdirection.\.. I 1 i Pivoted to thegear sector 35 at 43 is a link44, the other end .ofllink' 44' beingipivoted at 45 to the lamp support18. Operation of the motor 41- in one direction or the other. will,through 'its gearing to gear sector 35 and link 44, causesfthe lampsupport 18 to pivot 'in one direction orfithelother about Iitspivot 17,and thus, ex-

tend the lamp 16 below theaircraft part skin 11 or to retractittoflushpositioni" V I The power supply -.to .the motor-41 is wired throughextend limit switch Z S'and retract:limitswitch 26, which are controlledby their adjustable earns 28 and ,30 to cut olf :the power. to themotorwhen the lamp 1en sand'lamp gimbaltar'e 'fiilly retracted to theflush-position when the motor is being powered in that direction, and tocut on thei'extend position of the lamp at about '100 when the motor ibeing operated in the extend direction.

' 'Ehe "lam'p support 1=8 'is in reality a housing through whichthe'hollowlamp shaftl is journalled in bearings as at 50 and '51.: Keyedto the shaft 20 is a gear 52 withinthe housing of the'la'mp base 18 andis in mesh with a Worm 53. .This worm gear 53is mounted on a lamp shaft54 journalled in the lamp base housing 18 and having one end formed intoa female hex 55 accessible through an opening 56 in the side wall 57 ofthe lamp'support housing 18. This female hex 55 is arranged to receivea' complementary male hex 58 on the end of the motor shaft of a motor60, the motor fitlbeing otherwise substantially identical with the motor41. This motor 60 beingreversible, operates through the worm 53 andshaft gear '52 to rotate the lamp shaft 29 in either direction, andthus,ro'tate the lamp 16 in either direction. The lead to one side ofthe motor 60 for rotating in one direction is wired directly to contact74 of the position control switch 71,'while the lead to the other sideof'the motor, which may be-the sidefor'turning the lamp 16 in a rightdirection, is wired through a rotation limit switch 61 mounte'd on anintegral flange 62 extending A no be apparentfrom Figure 1, in which itcan be seen that when the .lamp 16 is fully retracted, limit switch '61,mounted on the integral flange 62, .may be contacted by rotating cam 65.When the lamp 16 is extended, asin Figure 3, cam 65 is far from flange62 on which is mounted limit switch 61 (not seen in this figure). Hence,the cam 65 cannot contact limit switch 61 when'the cam is in extendedposition. i

The rotation limit switch 61 not only serves to cut off the powerof'rotation motor 60 when turning in. that direction, but also serves.to operate a flush position indicator lamp 66 located'where it-will bevisible-to the pilotto inform himthat the lamp. 16.has been fullyretracted and has been rotated :tothe flush position. Withthisinformation, the pilot then may operate the main control switch :67. tothe Iofii position cutting offall the power both from the lamp and fromthe control motors.

.The control circuit used forenergizing the lamp 16 and forcontrollingthe. extension and retraction-and rota-- tion of the lamp can best beunderstood by referring to Figure 10. Thefmaincontrol switch 67'cornprisesa pair of contact elements68 and 70. One end of each of thecontact elements 68 and'70 is shown connected'to thepositive side of the'powersupply, When switch 67-is thrownupwardl'y, with respect totheview-shownin Figure 10, switch element 70 engages terminal 76 and switchelement 68 engages terminal '77. in its .on position. When switch 67 isthrown downwardly, with respect to the view shown in Figure 1%, the

switch element 70 engages the terminal 69 ands witch element 68 engagesterminal 82. -The switch 67 is then in its retract position. Whenswitch67 -is in the-interme diate position in which switch'elements68-and '70-engage none of the terminals 76, 77, 69, 82,- thetsw itch 67is then a in its 01f position. a 1 a A position control switch 71 isprovided-to-control'the movement of the light 16 to extend orfiretractposi-- tion;asproduced by rotationof motor 41, and-to controltherotary-movement of the light 16 to the right or tothe left, asproducedby motor- 60. The'position control s'witeh 7-1 may be thrown intocircuitwith any one of the c'on'tacts 72,78, 73, 74, to respectively cause thelight 16'to' extend,- retract, rotate toward-the right, or rotate towardthe left.

When the main control switch 67 is thrown to its 'on. position, in whichswitch elements 68 and '70 respectivelyengage terminals 76 and 77, theposition control switch 71 is then connected-to thesource of electricalpower in the following mannerffrom the positive sideofthe power source,through switch element-68' to terminal through conductor 79 to positioncontrol switch71.

Atthe same time, the onl position of switch 67 completes theen'ergization circuit of the filament of lamp -16 in'the'followingmanner: from thepositive side'of power, throughswitch element 70,through terminal 76, through conductor 105 to relay coil {27, throughrelay coil '27, through conductor 107 to ground, to thereby close the Ecircuit. Energization of relay coil 27 closes contact 27' and completesthe H circuit as follows; from the positive side of power,through-conductor 199, through Contact 27.; through conductor'75,through the filament of lamp 16 "and thence to ground. As will be notedin Fig-' ure 5, wire extends through'the hollow shaft 20 ton wiper ring76 and is connected to the power source throughwiper brush 77 whichis-held in contact :with the Wiper ring by means of a spring 78. 7 Q'- If switch 71 is thrown into circuit with extend con- The switch 67 isthen assassi tact 72, the C circuit is completed 'to cause the light 16to move to its extended position, as follows: from switch 71, throughcontact 72, through conductor .83,

to cause the light 16 to move in the retract direction, as

follows: from switch 71, through contact 78, through conductor 88,through retract limit switch 26, through retract winding 89 of motor 41,through motor 41, and thence to ground. This will energize motor 41 insuch manner as-to cause the light 16 to be moved in the retracteddirection as long as the operator maintains position control switch 71closed through the retract contact 78, or until the light 16 reaches asufficiently retracted position to cause the retract limit switch 26 toopen the circuit.

With the lamp 16 is the desired position of extension, if the operatorthrows the position control switch 71 into circuit with the leftrotation contact 74, the B circuit will be completed through motor 60 tocause the light 16 to rotate toward the left as follows: from switch 71,

through contact 74, through conductor 91, through the leftrotationTwinding 94 of motor 60, through motor 60 to ground. This willcause motor 60 to rotate in such a direction as to rotate the lamp 16toward the left.

If the position control switch 71 is thrown into circuit with the rightrotation contact 73, the D circuit will be completed as follows: fromswitch .71, through contact .73, through conductor 93, through normallyclosed rotation limit switch 61, to contact through the right rotationwinding 95 of motor 60, through motor 615 to ground. This will cause themotor 60 to rotate light 16 toward the'right. Due to the presence ofrotation'limit switch 61 in'the right rotation circuit, the motor flcannot be continuously operated in I the right rotation directionwhen'the light 16 is in fully When the pilot no longer needs to use thelamp 16, the

main control switch 67 is thrown in a downward direcretract position, sothat the switch element70 contacts the terminal 69 and the switchelement 63 contacts the terminal 82. By throwing the switch'67 to theretract position, the circuit of relay 27, which was formerly completedthrough switch element 70 and terminal 76, is broken, so that relay 27becomes deenergized. This opens the relay contact 27' and theenergization circuit of the filament of lamp 16 is therefore opened.

In the retract position of switch 67, A circuit is completed throughswitch 67 to operate the motor 41 in the retract direction as follows:from the positive side of the power line, through switch element 70 ofswitch 67, through terminal 69, through conductor 97, through retractlimit switch 26, through retract winding 89 of motor 41, through motor41 to ground. This causes the motor 41 to operate in such a direction asto retract the light 16 until it reaches its fully retracted position,at

which time the circuit is broken by the opening of retract limit switch26. When control switch 67 is thrown to retrac position, the D 1s alsocompleted through the 7 61, through contact 61', through the right.rotation winding 95 of motor 60, through motor 60 to ground.

This causes the motor 60 to rotate toward the right so that when thelamp 16'is fully retracted the rotation of its shaft toward the rightwill cause the rotation limit cam 65 to actuate the rotation limitswitch'61 and break the. circuit to the motor 60,*thus stopping therotation of the lamp in the flush position of the lamp. At

the same time, the cam 65 simultaneously moves the I switch 61 to theposition to complete the circuit through the flush indicator lamp 66as-follows: from the positive side of power, through switch element 68of switch 67 to terminal 82, through conductor 99 to junction 101,through conductor 93, through the limit switch 61, through contact 80,through conductor 103, through the flush indicator lamp 66 to ground.This causes the flush indicator lamp 66 to be lighted, thus advising thepilot that the lamp 16 has been fully retracted and ro- 'tated to theflush position, whereupon the pilot may then move the control switch 67to its 0 position, thus cutting off all power to the system.

When the lamp frame 15 is present with the heavy lamp on a large sizeairplane, it will be provided with cushion blocks 81 for the gimbal ring21 to abut against when it is moved to the fully retracted position.

While the device has been shown and the structure described in detail,it is obvious that this invention is not to be considered as beinglimited to the exact form disclosed, and that changes in detail andconstruction may be made therein within .the scope of what is claimed,without departing from the spirit of this invention.

Having thus set forth and disclosed the nature of this invention, whatis claimed is:

1. A dirigible extendible and retractable landing light U for aircraft,comprising in combination, a lamp supporting base mounted adjacent anopening in a surface of the aircraft, a lamp support pivotally mountedon said base, a lamp housing carried by said support for move ment intoand out of the opening in the aircraft surface and, when in retractedposition, closing such opening and being in substantially flush relationwith the outer surface of the aircraft, a shaft fixed to said lamphousing and 'rotatably mounted in said lamp support, first electricmotor means drivingly connected to said shaft for rotation of thelatter, means for selectively energizing said motor means to. rotatesaid: shaft and lamp housing, means in electrical association with saidmotor means for automatically deenergizing said motor means when saidlamp housing is fully retracted into the opening in the aircraft, andsecond electric motor means for selectively extending and retractingsaid lamp housing, and means for limiting the travel of said lamphousing in either extending or retracting direction. 7

2. A light assembly of the character described in claim 1 wherein saidlamp housing lies substantially on one side of the pivotal connection ofsaid support to said 1 tion and said first motor means is so positionedwith respect to the pivot of said support on said base that the firstmotor means will not move any substantial distanceoutwardly with respectto said base when said support is in extended position.

4. A light assembly of the character described in housing is carried bysaid support adjacent the opposite axial end of said pivotal connection.

5. A dirigibleextendible and retracable landing light 1.

for aircraft, comprising in combination, a lamp supportingbase mountedinteriorly of a part oftheaircraftand flushflwith'the inner surfacethereof, said part having-an opening-immediately adjacent said base,a'lamp, sup

pivotally ,mountedaonsaid base for; movement 'in'tofand;

out of said opening, alamp carried by said, support and,

in flushirelation ',witl1,the outer surfaceiofisaid part, a

shaft fixed to ,said lamp, means rotatably mountingsaid:

shaft in saidlamp, support, reversible electric motor means mechanicallyconnected tol.-said shaft for;{ corn;

means in either direction to rotate'said shaft and hencesaidlampina:selecteddirection, said means comprising,

, a remotely locatedposition controliswitchain electrical wheninretracted position, normally closing said opening for selectivelyenergizing saidreversible-motor means 7 in either directionstorotatesaid shaftandhence sai d' lamp in a selected dir'ection meansinelectrical" association with said motor for automatically deenergizingsaid motor when said lampfis fnllyretracted and rotated into flushrelation with saidpa'rt of saidiaircraftclosing said opening, second-"electric'motormeansfor selectively extending and retracting said lamp,means .for .limitingthe travel of said lamp in either extendingorretracting direction, a source ,of power, a connection between each ofsaidrmotors and said source. of power, rneansextending fromsaid'connection for, illuminating said lamp, and a main switch forenergizing andfdeenergizing said source of power. a

6. A dir'igible extendible and retractable landing light for aircraft,comprising inbombination, a lamp. supporting base mounted interiorly ofa part of the aircraft and I a shaft fixed 'to said lamp, fmeansrotatably mounting said shaft in said lamp support, reversible electricmotor means mechanically connected to said shaft for complete rotationthereof, means for selectively energizing said reversible motor means ineither direction to rotate said shaft and hence saidlamp in a selecteddirection, means in electrical association with said motor forautomatically deenergizing said motorwhen said lamp is fully retractedand rotated into flushQrelation with said part of said aircraft closingsaid opening, said means including tion, means in electrical associationwith said motor for automaticallydeenergizing said motor when asid'lampj part of said aircraft, closing vsaid opening, said'mean I, 3

including a cam on the inner end of said shaft and a limit switchpositioned for engagement by said cam only if f 7 a cam on theinner endof 'saidshaft' anda limit switch ond electrigmotor means for selectivelyextending and s retracting said 'lamp, means for limiting the travel 'ofsaid lamp, in either extending or retracting direction, a source ofpower, aconnectionbetweenf each of said motors and-saidsource of ppwer,meansextending' from said connection forr illnrninatingsaid lamp, and amain switch for 'energizing and deenergizing saidjsource of power. V I

7. A dirigible extendibleand1retractable landing light for aircraft,comprising in corn bination,ja lamp supporting base. mounted interiorly-0f a partpf the.aircraftan d flush with the inner: surface thereof, saidpart having an opening immediately adjacent said base, a lamp supportpivotally mounted on saidabasefo r movement into andout of --saidopening, a lamp carried by .said support and, when in,retractedposition, normally closing said opening in fiushrelationwiththe outer' surface of said part, a; shaft fixed to saidlarnp, meansrotatably mounting said shaft. in ,said lamp. support, reversibleelectric motor means mechanically connected to said shaft for completerotation thereofgsaid "means comprising a cir cular gear surroundingsaid shaft and'aworm geandriven by said n1otor, means andJengagingsaideircular gear,

' meansj or ct ly ener izin a d eversi e.-m9 9 association-with saidelectric motor, means inelectrical; association with -gsaid motor forautomatically deepergizingsaidmotor when said lamp isfully retractedandrotated into flush relation with said part of said'aircraftclosingsaidopening, said means including a cam on the inner end of saidshafttand a limitswitch positioned for engagement bysaid cam only whensaid shaftisin hori zont'al position relative to the normallyhorizontalposi-v tion of said cam and saidlamp is in flush relation tosaid part, completely closing said opening, second electric motor meansfor selectively extending and retracting said lamp, means for limitingthe travel of 'said larnp in, either extending or retracting direction,a source of power, a connection between: each of said motorsand saidsource of power, rneans extending fromsaid con nection for illuminatingsaid lam'p; and a mainfswitch. for energizing and deenergizing saidsource 'of-power} 8. 'A dirigible extendible and'retractable landing'light' for aircraft, comprising in-combi'nation, a lamp support-,"

ing base mounted interiorly of a part of the aircraft and r ing saidshaft in said lampsupport, reversible electric 7 motor meansmechanically connected toisaid shaft forg}, 7

complete rotation thereof, means forselectively energiz ing saidreversible motor means in either direction to rotate said shaft andhence-said lamp in a selected direc is fully retracted and rotated intoflushrrelationwith' s i whensaid shaft is in horizontal. positionrelative to th normally horizontal position of said cam and said lamp isin flush relation to said part, completely closing-said opening, secondelectric motor means for selectively extending andretracting said lamp,said means including a pinion driven by said motor means, a sector gear7'1 engaged'by said pinion, a link pivoted at one end to Said I Isector/gear and-at its other end to said .lamp support, means forlimiting the travel of said sector gear in either extendingor retractingdirection, a source of power, connection between each of said motors andsaid source of power, means extending from said connection through saidshaft for-illuminating said lamp, and a main switch for energizing anddeenergizing said source of power, said switch being of the double throwvariety, when in one position passing said power through said position iswitch for extending, illuminating, and/or rotating said J lamp, andwhen in its other position operable'to deenergize and retract said lamp,i

9, A- dirigible extendible and retractable for aircraft, comprising incombination, a lamp support-- ing base mounted interiorly of a part ofthe aircraft andflush with the inner surface thereof, saidpart having anopening immediately adjacent said base, a lamp support ingsa-id shaft insaid lamp support,'reversible electric mp-g 1 tor means mechanicallyconnected to said shaft for com plete rotation thereof, said meanscomprising a circular I gear surrounding said shaft and. a worm geardriven said mot r-.me a ad a in aidpir ar ge rt ea s ,7

landing light 1 fr for selectively energizing said reversible motormeans in either direction to rotate said shaft and hence said lamp in aselected direction, said means comprising a remotely located positioncontrol switch in electrical association with said electric motor, meansin electrical association with said motor for automatically deenergizingsaid I110- tor when said lamp is fully retracted and rotated into flushrelation with said part of said aircraft closing said opening, saidmeans including a cam on the inner end of said shaft and a limit switchpositioned for engagement by said cam only when said shaft is inhorizontal position relative to the normally horizontal position of saidaircraft and said lamp is in flush relation to said part, completelyclosing said opening, second electric motor means for selectivelyextending and retracting said lamp, said means including a pinion drivenby said motor means, a sector gear engaged by said pinion, a linkpivoted at one end to said sector gear and at its other end to said lampsupport, means for limiting the travel of said sector gear in eitherextending or retracting direction, said means including a pair of cammembers rotatable by said sector direction of rotation thereof, meansfor the adjustment of said cams in accordance with predetermined limitsof extension and retraction, a source of power, a connection betweeneach of said motors and said source of power, means extending from saidconnection through said shaft for illuminating said lamp, and a mainswitch for energizing and deenergizing said source of power, said switchbeing of the double throw variety, when in one position passing saidpower through said position switch for extending, illuminating, and/orrotating said lamp, and when in its other position operable todeenergize and retract said lamp, and a remote flush position indicatoroperable when said main switch is in said other position and said lampis in retracted flush position.

References Citedin the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,985,611 Lemm Dec. 25, 1934 2,124,050 Bruner July 19, 1938 2,124,346Grimes July 19, 1938 2,390,634 Aufiero Dec. 11, 1945' 2,401,390 UngerJune 4, 1946 2,510,818 Grimes June 6, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS V r 326,162Great Britain Mar. 3, 1930

